Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-04-08
PURITY OF THE BALLOTBOX.

The great principle which lies at the foun-
dation Of the government of the United
States is that which declares the people to
be the sourcs Of all political power, there.
fore every man who exercises the lofty priv
ilegs of deciding BY his vste what laws shall
govern his country and what magistrates
shall administer them, owes 1t TO himself,
his children, and to his country, to see that
the purity of the ballot box remains unfair
nished-that il be SO protected and guarded
as to fairly and surely reflect the expression
Of public sentiment wherein 1t becomes the
great arbiter. Every means Of controlling
public sentiment may be employed, opinion
may find utterances in every shape, the
press is free, popular meetings may assem-
BILE in any number-all that can be accom-
plished by persuasion by appeals the most
energetic, all the instrumentalities of moral
power may be brought to bear upen politi-
cal questions, but let the great moral and
life giving purity Of the balletbox be kept
free from any and all influences that would
mar or pervert Its beauty, strength aad ef.
feet
Spread i; among the people, send 1t TO the
laborer where he is telling In the fields, give
1t to the artisan in his daily industry, tell 1t
at the home Of every man as he enters 1t in
the evening, however humble II may be, that
when the ballot box becomes the instrument
Of designing politicians and demagogues,
dissensions will spring up in our midst,
alterations ensue, and republic, composed
Of States inheriting the great principles OF
liberty frsm our ancestry who comprehend.
ed their priceless value, be plunged into the
widest and most hopeless anarchy. We
all eve duty TO eur race, "ne man liveth
10 himself" Selfshness has no place in q
popular government like ours. Every word
Of truth that is uttered helps the cause Of
mankind Every great thought strengthens
good government
The proceedings in the Criminal Court Of
Baltimore city for the past month or SO have
not been without peculiar interest to every
citizen OF Maryland who has at heart the
honor and prosperity Of his State, and 1t is
a matter Of very great congratulation to see
that prominent persons, hslding positions Of
Importance and trust, cannet treat with i'm
punity the sacred mandates Of the law, how
ever high their social position, or however
great their influence.
In the recent trial and conviction Of Chas.
NJ. Owens, Isaiah Waters, Jshn Brsndau,
John B. Sanner and VIM. J. Byrne, for
frauds committed in stufflng the ballot-bsx
at the municipal election in November last,
the jury struck vigorous blow in the direc
ton of the purity Of the ballot bsx-s blow
that will have a healthy effect in the future
government and management Of the cleo
ton polls in Baltimore city and through
out the State.
The recommendation Of mercy on the
part Of the jury to the Court in behalf Of
lsniency was in decidedly bad taste and the
Court, in eur opinion, should not hesitate
to disregard it. 1t lacks courags-it shows a
disposition to apologize to the very element
that had instigated and manipulated the
conspiracy. The object in the punishment
OF crime is TO deter others from like perpe-
tration. The offense committed was against
the dearest privilege that freeman is called
upon 10 sxecute-!or the violation Of that
privilege the law provides an ample punish
ment, and we say let them have it to the
fullest measure.